308 GT4

Don - beautiful car, so sweet!

Rock - great car - what did you do to get 300 hp? Sounds great.

 

Hello Russ, all the engine work is internal. It's a 3.1 liter and rev's to 8500 rpm. It looks like a stock euro gt4 under the hood, but doesn't feel stock when behind the wheel. It also has a different exhaust note (our own manufactured exhaust system). I also use r-compound tires, what a difference! Most of these cars are in poor condition and in need of rebuilding, once done (properly) it's like night and day.

 

Don, very nice car.

 

Here's mine after Rock got a hold of the engine...
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Check out the GT4 at www.nickcartwright.com at £20,995......let me know what you think!

 

So a good investment?

 

IMO, yes. The prices on the GT4 can go no where but up.

Thanks guys for all of the compliments! As some of you know, I spent a few dollars fixing it up with a facelift last year.

1st pic: from epoxy primer from bare metal
2nd pic: facelift in progress
3rd pic: being delivered from the hospital ;-)

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BERTONE: grab it! my heavens, if the car is everything as stated in the description, you shouldn't be here reading this. This GT4 looks almost better than new, plus it has the concours trophies to prove it. The only thing I don't like about it is the color of the interior, I am not much for that chocolate color at all and not into the cloth inserts down the center. Just my opinion though. Tan leather can't be beat IMO. Compliments the rosso the best along with black leather. except black can show wear unforgivingly as well as hotter interior temps in the summer. The engine compartment is breathtaking, I thought Jay Grande's engine was superb, this one takes the cake. Mine isn't too bad either, but haven't prettied up my valve covers.

SNJ: of course your Mondial frigging rocks! I hope I don't run into your Mondial, it would kick my a$$.

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Thanks for the feedback......the only good thing about the interior is that it is totally original and in pristine condition....it would be a sin to have it recovered!

Im having a 101 point inspection done on it next week, i shall keep you updated, thanks again.

 

Wow! If it's original then I would just grin and bear it for now. I suspect the cloth inserts are that velour composition. It isn't too bad IMO, I have sat in a GT4 with that same exact color of velour and it smells quite nice, I am just not very crazy about that dark brown color.

Get that inspection done soon. If the seller will allow you to, check out the rear trunk area completely for rust. I mean completely by removing the carpet in the trunk if you can especially in the lower wheel well area. I have noticed its an 80, so the problems of the wheel wells not sealing up against the quarter panels allowing water to seep in and causing rust are not a problem. The 75's were corrected in a factory bulletin. Make sure ALL of the servicing has been done. Looks like a garage queen IMO so suspension, engine belts, fuel lines are suspect. Garage queens are worshipped, not driven. GT4's were made to be driven, not worshipped.

 

Don,

Yes its totally original, and it has got that velour insert.

Ive had all the carpets up and absolutely no sign of rust anywhere.

Although it states FSH there are years where it hasnt been serviced because its done such low mileage in that year, but the original book seems to have plenty of stamps in it.

The dealer is offering his own 3 month warranty...not some cheap insurance plan.

Belts were changed 1 year ago during its last service, with no miles done since....would you ask for them to be done again or do i not need to worry?

Regards,

Julian.

 

BERTONE, I wouldn't worry about the belts then, but heck, 1 year since no miles? What is this guys problem? These garage queen worshippers are strange to figure out. There are plenty of threads here on Fchat regarding starting an engine with no oil on the cylinder walls, it only takes 1-2 weeks for the engine oil to not coat the cylinder walls, rust could then form. So much for worshipping. I call it stupidity. To each his own. I have never ever heard of a seller offering a warranty on any car that old. I would on mine if I ever were to sell mine, but that speaks volumes IMO. It is a great car, otherwise, the seller would give you the long disclaimer that makes attorneys smile. The pictures of the car look gorgeous. If it is original paint, the paint is lacquer and is probably cracking(crazing) in some places. Only way to deal with that is to strip it to bare metal due to the primer also being incompatible with current enamel paints.

My GT4 is much better than it was off the showroom floor, no question about it. My GT4 when I bought it had waves in the body and one small dent in the front end.

 

other points to consider as I am assuming since this IS a concours car, get rid of those frigging idiotic points and condensors on the ignition system. YOu can always return the ignition system to original if you want to. Go with Crane XR-700's for electronic ignition and also go with 16" wheels. those 14" wheels are very difficult to get tires. It also probably has the small bearing water pump. REPLACE IT with a big bearing water pump. I have a QV water pump housing on mine and had to do some griding on the housing to use my existing water pump pulley. The small bearing water pump will last you 15,000 miles max. More like 12,000

 

I believe its had the obligatory respray over the years but i did notice a couple of tiny bubbles, no rust, but bubbles on the roof, presumably that means some sort of respray. At £20k should i get the dealer to sort this out?

The reason its done no miles is that its been with the dealer now for 1 year but at £23,000 and that scared people off, now its down to 20k theres more interest.

Do you think Ferrari specialists warranty is long enough for me to find any faults with the car?

 

Just arranged a Ferrari 101 point check.....hopefully that will pick up on any faults!

 

Bertone - glad to hear you're getting close to getting one at last...

Don - love yours as always! I'm still running my '74 on points and 14" wheels but I'm gradually coming round to your way of thinking. It took a lot of effort to get it running cleanly to the red line on the standard ignition. Gradually going off tune again now after 3000 miles this year. XWX's for the 14" wheels are available here but they are not cheap - I can't decide between the 16" 328 wheels from Ferrari UK or the replica 5 spokers from Superformance for the upgrade.

I probably ought to start a thread in the right section about cost effective GT4 upgrades with some track days/tarmac rally tours in mind.

 

Thanks David,

On the subject of wheels,

The GT4 im after has got the original five spoke 14" wheels that the car was supplied with but I love the original Dino wheels. Verdi have a brand new original set, 16", would these be suitable or should I stick to whats on, which will look best, 14" OR 16"?

 

I too like the classic unmolested look of my original Dino 14" wheels, although they could do with refurbishing to look their best. I think the 16" five spoke design are the obvious upgrade and add a certain muscularity to the looks - personal preferences will always differ. I thought the scandinavian (?) yellow car in another thread looked great with the 328 wheels as well..

I have never driven a GT4 on 16" modern rubber but I guess the handling/ride characteristics alter significantly. I have always been impressed with the ride quality on the 205/70 14" XWX's - it's the usual debate between keeping the car running on the tyres its suspension was designed to work with versus making the best use of more modern equipment. Same goes for ignition systems and even stereos! I'm sure that 16" becomes wise once track action is contemplated, but I guess suspension and brakes will need to be part of that package as well. I've got new original spec shocks/springs and I find the front bottoming out with enthusiastic use...

 

The 328 wheels on the GT4 are AWESOME. I think they really update the look, and make the car look more agressive.
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BERTONE: I would get a body man to look at the tiny bubbles on the paint, but it has won a concours event so I am bit confused here.

Wheels are always a personal preference issue, it is your car, use what you desire. I suggest 16" wheels, go with the pre ABS 328 wheel.

Dom and others: thanks! Trust me on the ignition issue, the points stink. Dinosaur technology buy keep them in case if someone wants them if/when you ever sell it.

To each his own.

 

Don,

These bubbles have appeared just recently as the car has been moved from lock up to lock up, he thinks its down to the cold damp weather weve been having.

 

Hi Bertone, on the subject of wheels, I currently have a set of 14" and a set of 16" wheels. My intention after buying the larger wheels was to sell the 14"ers. however I think the car has a more pure 70's look with the high profile original tyres. I now intend to refurb the original wheels over the next month or so and keep both sets.

Here's a couple of pics of the car on the original wheels and the 16" wheels to compare:
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Bertone, I also have a new wallpaper I've been working on, any body who wants a copy of the full size just email me.
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That's beautiful.....the bird's not bad either!

 

Scott that is the best photo i have seen in a long time